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Title: US responding as if swine flu will be pandemic
Source:
yahoo - ap
URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/med_swine_flu
Published: Apr 27, 2009
Author: LAURAN NEERGAARD and TOM RAUM
Post Date: 2009-04-27 17:09:18 by Rotara
Keywords: None
Views: 783
Comments: 33
7 mins ago WASHINGTON – Confirming 40 cases of swine flu in the U.S., the Obama administration said Monday it was responding aggressively as if the outbreak would spread into a full pandemic. Officials urged Americans against most travel to Mexico as the virus that began there spread to the United States and beyond. President Barack Obama urged calm, saying there was reason for concern but not yet "a cause for alarm." Yet just in case, administration officials said that they were already waging a vigorous campaign of prevention, unsure of the outbreak's severity or where it would show up next. U.S. customs officials began checking people entering U.S. territory. Millions of doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile were on their way to states, with priority given to the five already affected and to border states. Federal agencies were conferring with state and international governments. "We want to make sure that we have equipment where it needs to be, people where they need to be and, most important, information shared at all levels," Janet Napolitano, head of the Homeland Security Department, told reporters. Her briefing came shortly before the World Health Organization raised the severity of its pandemic alert level to four from three on a six-point scale. Level four means there is sustained human-to-human spread in at least one country. Level six is a full-fledged pandemic, an epidemic that has spread to a wide geographic area. "We are proceeding as if we are preparatory to a full pandemic," Napolitano said. She said travel warnings for trips to Mexico would remain in place as long as swine flu is detected. Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that so far the disease in the United States seemed less severe than the outbreak in Mexico, where more than 1,600 cases had been reported and where the suspected death toll had climbed to 149. No deaths had been reported in the U.S, and only one hospitalization. "I wouldn't be overly reassured by that," Besser told reporters at CDC's headquarters in Atlanta. He raised the possibility of more severe cases — and deaths — in the United States. A European Union official warned against travel to parts of the U.S. as well as Mexico, but Besser said that seemed unwarranted. State Department spokesman Robert A. Wood said the EU commissioner's remarks were his "personal opinion," not an official position, and thus the department had no comment. "We don't want people to panic at this point," Wood said. Still Besser said of the situation, "We are taking it seriously and acting aggressively. ... Until the outbreak has progressed, you really don't know what it's going to do." The U.S. stepped up checks of people entering the country by air, land and sea and issued a new U.S. travel advisory suggesting "nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided." The confirmed cases announced on Monday were double the 20 earlier reported by the CDC. Besser said this was due to further testing — not further spreading of the virus — in New York at a school in Queens, bringing the New York total to 28. Besser said other cases have been reported in Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California. He said that, of the 40 cases, only one person has been hospitalized and all have recovered. Countries across the globe increased their vigilance amid increasing worries about a worldwide pandemic. Obama told a gathering of scientists that his administration's Department of Health and Human Services had declared a public health emergency "as a precautionary tool to ensure that we have the resources we need at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively." "This is obviously a cause for concern and requires a heightened state of alert, but it's not a cause for alarm," Obama said. He said he was getting regular updates. The Senate has yet to confirm a secretary of human services, a surgeon general or a director of CDC. The absence of those officials left Besser and Napolitano to brief reporters on the swine flu outbreak. The quickening pace of developments in the United States in response to the spreading new flu strain was accompanied by a host of varying responses around the world. Mexico, at the center of the outbreak, suspended schools nationwide. China, Taiwan and Russia considered quarantines, and several Asian countries scrutinized visitors arriving at their airports. U.S. customs officials began checking people entering U.S. territory. Officers at airports, seaports and border crossings were watching for signs of illness, said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling. While "the borders are open," Easterling said officials were "taking a second look at folks who may be displaying a symptom of illness." If a traveler reports not feeling well, the person will be questioned about symptoms and, if necessary, referred to a CDC official for additional screening, Easterling said. The customs officials were wearing personal protective gear, such as gloves and masks, he said. The CDC can send someone to the hospital if they suspect a case, but no one is being refused entry. Also, the CDC is readying "yellow cards" with disease information for travelers, in case they later experience symptoms.The border monitoring resembles that done during the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade. Multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, said they were waiving usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico, but had not canceled flights. Napolitano urged Americans to take "common sense" precautions. "Common sense means washing hands, staying home from work or school if you feel sick, covering your mouth if you cough or sneeze. These are straightforward and simple measures, but they can materially improve our chances of avoiding a full-fledged pandemic," she said. Administration officials said about 11 million doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile have been sent to states in case they are needed — roughly one quarter of the doses in the stockpile. While there presently is no vaccine available to prevent the specific strain now being seen, there are antiflu drugs that do work once someone is sick. If a new vaccine eventually is ordered, the CDC already has taken a key preliminary step — creating what's called seed stock of the virus that manufacturers would use. A private school in South Carolina was closed Monday because of fears that young people who recently returned from Mexico might have been infected. Officials of Newberry Academy in Newberry, S.C., said some seniors on the trip had flu-like symptoms when they returned. State Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman Jim Beasley said test results on the students could come back as early as Monday afternoon. To date, there have been no confirmed swine flu cases in the state. Stock markets fell overseas and in the United States out of concern that the outbreak could derail economic recovery. Airline and other travel-related stocks suffered the sharpest losses. The New York City school where 28 cases have now been confirmed was closed Monday and Tuesday. Also, 14 schools in Texas, including a high school where two cases were confirmed, will be closed for at least the next week. Some schools in California and Ohio also were closing after students were found or suspected to have the flu. In Mexico, the outbreak's center, soldiers handed out 6 million face masks to help stop the spread of the virus that is suspected in up to 103 deaths. Most other countries are reporting only mild cases so far, with most of the sick already recovering. Spain reported its first confirmed swine flu case on Monday and said another 17 people were suspected of having the disease. Also, three New Zealanders recently returned from Mexico are suspected of having it. ___ Associated Press writers Mark Stevenson and Olga R. Rodriguez in Mexico City; Frank Jordans in Geneva; Mike Stobbe in Atlanta; Maria Cheng in London and Eileen Sullivan and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.
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#1. To: christine, TwentyTwelve (#0)
Not 149 ?
do you have any info on the guy in mexico city who greeted obama at some museum or something and then died the next day of this flu? alex jones reported that one but i havent seen anything on it.
Glory to God in the highest, and Peace to His people on Earth. Why do they persist in calling it 'swine' flu, if no hogs have been affected?
"Swine flu" has a certain mysterious ring to it. The "bird flu" was getting old, stale, and boring.
Swine Flu The Flying Pig Ornament RETIRED LAST ONE HARD TO GET! Swine Flu The Flying Pig Ornament. From the first year of production 2001. December Diamonds Ornaments - From The Wonderful World of December Diamonds Collection, It measures 6 inches long by 7 inches wide from wing tip towing tip and 4 inches tall. it is made of a Light weight composite with white feathers, white glittered fabric wings. This line was boxed in multi cases. Sorry no original boxes for each one from the 1st years of production. sorry also no tag on this one. Any questions please email us.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
I want the next one to be named Meerkat Flu. Or, perhaps, Gerbil Flu. The CDC should have a "Name the Next Flu" contest.
TRAITORS TO AMERICA AND BRAINWASHED IDIOTS SUPPORT AND DEFEND ISRAEL. TO HELL WITH ZIONISTS AND THIER AMERICAN FRONTS: AIPAC/PNAC/ADL/NAACP/CFR/FEDERAL RESERVE/SPLC/JINSA/ACLU/FPI/CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS/AEI/FEDERAL MEDIA/HOLLYWOOD, et. al.
i love that song. great chacha.
The smooth criminal transition from Bush/Cheney to Obama
Great, just great.
Wondering if Jesse Ventura is still down there?
OK - enough. I've got to get some dinner-prep going on at casita lodwick. Carry on.
I associate it with Jack Daniel's and Coke. ;-)
I've got to do something even if it's wrong.
There's Turtle Flu, in which the one out of a thousand who survive end up cute and smart.
www.drudgereport.com/ 2,000 people in Mexico hospitalized with serious pneumonia...
www.drudgereport.com/ WHO Will Raise Alert to Unprecedented Level...
www.drudgereport.com/ Military 'monitoring' outbreak...
www.drudgereport.com/ EU: Don't travel to USA/Mexico...
www.drudgereport.com/ Napolitano: Closing border not answer...
Was The "Spanish Flu" Epidemic Man-made? (Flashback)
Did the "Spanish Flu" originate in Spain?
Was the 'Patriot Act' patriotic?
Was the "National Defense Authorization Act" really about national defense ?
Did the 911 Commission do a "REAL" investigation?
It is a gorgeous city, in certain places, but the poverty is grinding.
I didn't know dead turtles could type. >(;^{]
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.What did joe biden know and when did he know it..
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams 
#2. To: christine (#0)
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that so far the disease in the United States seemed less severe than the outbreak in Mexico, where more than 1,600 cases had been reported and where the suspected death toll had climbed to 149. No deaths had been reported in the U.S, and only one hospitalization.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#3. To: Rotara (#0)
"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
#4. To: Rotara, christine, anyone here (#0)
#5. To: lodwick, Rotara, christine, anyone here (#4)
Why do they persist in calling it 'swine' flu, if no hogs have been affected?
#6. To: TwentyTwelve, lodwick, christine (#5)
buy one now ! Oops - SOLD OUT !!
Circa: 2001
Condition: mint
Manufacturer: december diaomonds
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#7. To: Rotara (#0)
#8. To: TwentyTwelve (#5)
"Swine flu" has a certain mysterious ring to it.
#9. To: Sam Houston (#7)
#10. To: wbales, flu bugs here (#8)
The CDC should have a "Name the Next Flu" contest.
#11. To: lodwick (#10)
One Flu Over The Piggy's Nest
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#12. To: Sam Houston (#7)
#13. To: Rotara, all (#11)
#14. To: Sam Houston (#7)
Great song.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#15. To: lodwick (#13)
I've got to get some dinner-prep going on at casita lodwick.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#16. To: Rotara (#15)
#17. To: wbales (#8)
The CDC should have a "Name the Next Flu" contest.
Dancing Turtles and Bouncing Boobs
...that's Turtle Island.
#18. To: Rotara (#6)
My joy over McCain's defeat, is offset by my disappointment over hObama's victory.
#19. To: Rotara (#0)
#20. To: Rotara (#0)
#21. To: Rotara (#0)
#22. To: Rotara (#0)
#23. To: Rotara (#0)
#24. To: TwentyTwelve (#23)
#25. To: Itistoolate (#24)
Was The "Spanish Flu" Epidemic Man-made?
#26. To: TwentyTwelve (#25)
#27. To: hondo68 (#18)
Piggity-Pig-Pig-Piggy !
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#28. To: Itistoolate, TwentyTwelve (#26)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#29. To: Rotara (#28)
#30. To: TwentyTwelve. all here (#22)
This shows the up-side to Mexico DF - they don't show the millions of people living in 'houses' made of cardboard.
#31. To: All (#30)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#32. To: lodwick (#30)
#33. To: Turtle (#17)
There's Turtle Flu, in which the one out of a thousand who survive end up cute and smart.
Lord Acton
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